Carl Icahn nominates directors to McDonald’s board to change pig policy

Activist investor Carl Icahn has nominated two board candidates at McDonald’s to force the fast-food chain to ensure more humane conditions for pigs in the company’s supply chain.

Icahn has asked McDonald’s to require that all of its US pork suppliers have “crate free” pigs — referring to the practice of keeping pregnant sows in small crates — and set specific deadlines to accomplish this.

In a statement on Sunday, McDonald’s said Icahn had launched a campaign related to “a narrow issue regarding the company’s pork” processing. It added that its board “will evaluate the nominees as it would any other candidates proposed to it”.

McDonald’s said it would be “impossible” to fulfil Icahn’s request. The change would go against “the veterinary science” and “would harm the company’s shared pursuit of providing customers with quality product at accessible prices”, it said.

The fast-food chain criticised Icahn for owning a company — Illinois-based Viskase — that produces and supplies packaging for pork and poultry.

“It’s noteworthy that Icahn has not publicly called on Viskase to adopt commitments” that McDonald’s has already adopted for its pig supply, the company said.

A spokesperson for Icahn did not immediately have a comment on Sunday.

Icahn has nominated Leslie Samuelrich, president of Green Century Capital Management, a climate-conscious asset manager, and Maisie Ganzler, chief strategy officer at Bon Appétit Management Company, a restaurant company that offers food services.

Icahn has said he owns 200 shares of McDonald’s stock, the company said.